The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-12-06
THE STOLEN BOY.
The Kidnapping of Charley Ross
in 1874.
THE CHILD UNDOUBTEDLY MURDERED

Malling. in a book just published:
NEW FACTS IN THE CHARLEY ROSS CASE.
OF all ny experiences willie connected with
the police / recall no case which gave me
greater solicitude than the abduction of
Charley Ross. This occurred on the evening
OF Wednesday, July /, 1874, at Germantown,
a suburb Of Philadelphia. ] became superin-
iondent OF the police on July %, and in conse-
quence | took an active part IN the search for
the child and the discovery Of the kidnappcrs
Christian Is. Ross, tho father, was spending p
few weeks at Atlantic City. When Mr.. Ross
came home on July he discovered that his
two youngest children, Walter and Charley,
were missing. lie began search, and before
night learned that two strange men with a
horse and wagon had passed his house, and
had induced the boys to take a ride. After
driving about eight miles toward the city the
men deserted Walter He was found and re-
turned 10 his fathers house. But Charley has
never since been seen by his parents.
The community became alarmed and in n
short time the people of tho entire country be-
came interested and all did what they could to
discover the criminals and restore the missing
child. 4 long correspondence followed with the
unknown abductors through the post and the
press. They frankly admitted that Charley
had been stolen with the hope OF getting
large ransom They declared he would not be
returned until the money was paid Acting
upon the advice Of the authorities and friends
Mr.. Ross decided not TO pay the sum asked
but TO offer large rewards for the recovery Of
the child, and the capture and conviction Of
The iiidnappers. The mayor Of Philadelphia,
at the request Of many citizens, offered a re-
ward Of s200G0 for the arrest and conviction Of
the abductors and the restoration OF the child
10 its parents. The publicton Of this reward
drew letter from the abduct0r5 dated "PhlIa-
delpha, July -, in which they said:
We have him 50 that we feel at ease against eli
the detective force In the country ever feUiin him
put The authorities have offered $4,000 for the
ehilo nh detection Of as II they had yu interest nt
hart this would be the WORT thing they could do
this is only Oierin reward .0r the sacrifice yer
child
The first information received in Philadel-
phia that there was any clue known in New
York was through telegram received on the
evening Of August 2, as follows:
Chief of police, Phiiadelp bia:-Send detective
here with original letters OF Gdnappers Of Ross
= '''' ''''''N -" GfoEar W. wA1IlNG
Superintendent OF New York Police.
The next day Captain Helms, OF PhiIadel-
phia, and Mr. Joseph Ross, brother of Charley
kosss father, came to New York with the
original letters Of the abductors. They met
me at police headquarters.
ave hope that you at least have some trust
worthy information" said Captain Helms.
81 think / have" l replied. Through
Captain Henry Heddom, Of the Thirteenth po-
lice district have heard of man who pro-
fesses to know who the abductors are. ! will
send for Captain Iledden.' Mr.. Ross was i'm
patient TO learn the news.
Have you any idea who the abductors
were % lie asked
I'VE suspect two men named William Mo-
Eher and Joseph Douglas" l answered.
I'll We have their Names" he exclaimed
eagerly they can be hunted down."
"Undoubtediy. And that is what we hope"
do not think before the publication of this
autobiography that the exact reasons have
been given why William Mosher was first sus-
pected. policeman named Doyle came to
me one day and said Superintendent, have
been talking with GIN Mosher, and from all
have learned think his brother William had
hand in carrying off Charley Ross"
Bring GIL Mosher to see me as soon as you
nan' I orde ccd
After great deal OF searching and trouble
Gan Mosher was found. After asking him
many questions, finally said
"What are your reasons for suspccting that
your brother William took part in the kdnap-
ping OF Charley Ross2"
"Woil" he replied, az was approached by
Bill, who asked me if would join him in car
rying off some child who had rich parents. The
plan WAS 10 steal one of Commodore Wander
William III. Vanderbilt)
(Which one of the children was TO be
taken % l asked.
THE youngest one we could get"
"What would you do with III"
Hold it for a ransum."
"Where did he propose to conceal the
rhild?"
ain boat" said GIN Mosher, and he added,
III was to negotiate for the ransom"
well, what them"
~ refused to have anything to do with it,"
"Why?"
"Because thought there would bo too much
risk in trying TO get money from the Wander
bilts They are too rich, have too much power.
and are rot people 10 be frightened. There
would be no trouble in stealing the child. The
tA in a..
ransom"
80 You gave up the plan9"
"Nes, | would not run the risk OF being de-
tected, did not think it was safe enter
prise
Gill Mosher's statement made strong inn
preston on me. / was convinced he did not
come 10 me from any honest motive, He hoped
he might secure n share OF the reward He
was a notorious character, and had been in
state prison for horse stealing. II was prin-
ripally from the clue given by "Gill" Mosher
that we followed his brother William and
Douglas. When Captain lleddon arrived at
police headquarters. lac told Captain Helms, of
Philadelphia, the story Of gin Moshor lie
added;
"lf my suspicious are correct this William
MOsher is the leader of the conspiracy He
arranged the plot and is the writer of the let
tiers sent 10 Mr. Ross. | am familiar with
Moshers writing, and can tell if see the let
tiers whether he is the author Of them"
before we show you the letters, said Cap
tain Helms, describe 90 us the peculiarities OF
Mosher's handwriting"
lie writes very rapidly" was the reply.
sand Is careless. lie seldom finishes page
without tiotting IT, lie often writes either
above or below the lines. When he folds q
letter y is In q peculiar and awkward way"
The Letters were produced
They are his, without the shadow Of
doubt" exclaimed ileddon. Here is tho
handwriting, bots and all, just as | told YOU
And you see for yourselves, gentlemen. that
the letters are folded IN a peculiar and awb-
ward manner"
This identification Of the letters seemed con-
elusive. IL produced a profound impression
upon Captain Helms and Mr.. Ross.
al last exclaimed Chatley's uncle
Arrangements were made with tho New
York detectives that the Philadelphia police
should ee kept informed of al that trunSpired
and whatever assistance could be given in
Philadelphia should be forthcoming.
captain Heddcn attcrWard learned that
Moshcl and Douglas manufactured moth pre-
Ventire, which they called "Mothee." They
Travelled about the country with q horse ana
wagon selling this with other small articles
lie also WscoYored that Mosher had brother
in-iaw. William WestvrNclt, "a discharged no.
lice officer oi New York, who was probably inn
plicatcd in tho abduction.
sent for Westcryelt tho brother-in-layv Of
Moshor. CA August Is. lS1i. and asked him 10
Assisi me in finding the men and recovering
the chid. After considering the matter a few
days lac agreed 20 help the police. | freely
fats fnD hoe 4 D.